Can Monistat Really Aid Hair Growth?

There are so many tips and tricks that have been created to help sustain long healthy hair. These hair hacks that anyone can master usually require only a few simple ingredients that can be found at home. However, the latest trend calls for a particularly unexpected home product: Monistat. Monistat is an over-the-counter anti-fungal product meant to treat yeast infections. The medication has many different creams, and it seems that these at-home beauty experts are using Monistat 7 for their hair needs.

 There have been claims that it helps with hair loss as well as dandruff issues. However, like many different trends, some are a godsend and others are beauty hacks that you definitely want to skip. So, when it comes to using Monistat for the hair, is there any truth to the claims?

The claims don't come from just anywhere — Monistat has ingredients that might be beneficial for the hair. Miconazole nitrate is an active ingredient that is found in Monistat that helps fight yeast infections. William Gaunitz, certified trichologist explained to Byrdie that there are many active fungi on the scalp that could lead to hair loss. Gaunitz explained, "It's widely accepted that certain microbes living on the surface of the scalp, including fungus, can create inflammation and influence hair loss." So, it seems like a reasonable assumption that the same ingredient could help treat those microbes to help aid in hair growth.

Miconazole nitrate has a lot of promise when looked at from an expert's perspective. Board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag pointed out in an interview with Byrdie that miconazole has a similar structure to ketoconazole, which is found in dandruff shampoos. Ketoconazole has shown great promise in treating hormonal hair loss. "This may be another reason why people notice a difference when using it for hair growth, although this is just speculation," Hayag explained to the publication.

If this seems like the method you would want to try, it's very simple to use Monistat as a hair product. The publication, Dr. Formula states that it is best to use Monistat 7, the cream version of the product that most people have found helpful in their hair. The first step is to create a solution of Monistat mixed with water and place it in a spray bottle. Healthline recommends using a 1:1 ratio for the best result. From there, coat the scalp with the mixture and then cover the hair with a shower cap. After this, sleep with the mixture overnight and rinse the hair thoroughly in the morning.

If the overnight method is not for you, Healthline recommends applying the product directly on the scalp. When using the cream, do not apply it with your bare hands, but instead wear latex gloves. Apply the cream directly to the scalp and leave for about 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes are up, rinse out the Monistat completely and go on about styling as usual.

There is a claim that Monistat is not only a great product for hair growth but hair loss as well. But it's important to note that hair loss can be caused by a myriad of different issues that should be best diagnosed by a dermatologist. If you're suffering from hair loss that is caused by a fungal infection, there is a chance Monistat could work for you. "Monistat may be effective in clearing up fungal infections at the scalp, improving overall scalp health, and facilitating hair growth, but only if the hair loss is related to scalp health," Dr. Hayag explained. This is because Monistat is considered a yeast infection cream, and there is a chance that putting it in the hair could clear up the issue.

Also, consider hair type when deciding to apply Monistat to your hair. A lot of people who have tried it have naturally textured hair, which could be more susceptible to scalp issues.

Before rushing to the drugstore to go buy Monistat, it is important to know that there is no guarantee that this will work for you. As of now, there are no clinical studies done that test the correlation between hair growth and Monistat. The claims that Monistat Is a miracle product are anecdotal and should be treated as such. While there are some promising ingredients, it should be noted that this does not mean it's the product for you.

According to Dr.Guanitz, Monistat could lead to new scalp issues on an otherwise healthy scalp. This could cause clogged pores, rashes, and damage to the hair follicles. In more extreme circumstances, people could suffer from dryness, itching, and even hair loss. She also stressed that if taking certain medications such as blood thinners, it's best to leave Monistat alone. While this could be disappointing, there are other shampoos, oils, and treatments, that are much more suitable for the hair, with less risk.